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Private for-profit, 4-year

South University-Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina · www.southuniversity.edu/columbia#location=Columbia, SC

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Tuition per year

$17,895

$27,334 with room and board

Peer median $42,296

Undergraduates

450

Student-faculty ratio 21:1

Peer median 12 : 1

“Peers” are all 233 private doctoral universities in the U.S. (by Carnegie Classification).

About

South University-Columbia is an esteemed institution located in Columbia, South Carolina, known for its commitment to providing quality education and fostering a supportive learning environment. The university offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields, including business, health sciences, and criminal justice. The focus on career-oriented education equips students with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their chosen professions. The academic programs at South University-Columbia are designed to promote critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving abilities, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the workforce.

The campus culture at South University-Columbia is vibrant and inclusive, encouraging students to engage in various extracurricular activities, including clubs, organizations, and community service initiatives. This active student life fosters a sense of belonging and helps to build lasting friendships among peers. Additionally, the university emphasizes the importance of personal and professional development, offering resources such as career services and counseling to support students throughout their academic journey. With a dedicated faculty that prioritizes student success and a comprehensive range of programs, South University-Columbia is a great choice for those seeking a well-rounded education in a supportive environment.

Analysis of Key Trends at South University-Columbia

Over the years, South University-Columbia has experienced significant fluctuations in its student enrollment and graduation rates, which raise concerns about the institution's overall viability. The total number of undergraduate students has steadily declined from 1,106 in 2013 to just 420 in 2023. This drastic reduction of approximately 62% indicates potential issues in attracting and retaining students.

Interestingly, while the number of students has decreased, the tuition for in-state undergraduate students has remained relatively stable, with only slight variations. The tuition was $16,360 in 2014 and slightly decreased to $16,452 by 2024, signifying a modest attempt to remain competitive in a challenging educational market. However, the tuition for graduate students has seen a more pronounced decline, dropping from $24,071 in 2014 to $16,536 in 2024, which may reflect a strategic pricing approach to attract more graduate candidates.

Moreover, the graduation rates present a mixed picture. For instance, the on-time graduation rate hovered around 5% in 2015 and has shown inconsistency in subsequent years, reaching a peak of 14.3% in 2020 before declining again to 7.7% in 2023. Such low graduation rates could deter prospective students or result in a negative reputation for the institution, posing further challenges for enrollment.

Retention rates also tell a compelling story. The percentage of students who continue their education at South University-Columbia fluctuated significantly, peaking at 85.7% in 2021 but dropping to 25% in 2022. This inconsistency reflects underlying issues with student satisfaction and engagement, which are critical for maintaining a stable student body and fostering a successful academic environment.

In conclusion, while South University-Columbia has made efforts to adjust tuition rates in response to enrollment challenges, the significant drop in student numbers, coupled with low graduation and retention rates, suggests that comprehensive strategies are needed to enhance the university's appeal and ultimately ensure its sustainability in the competitive higher education landscape.

This collegeRanked colleges nearby

Setting
Suburb of a large city
Nearest major city
Columbia, about 5 mi
Nearest international airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), about 80 mi
Columbia, South Carolina
Academic calendar
Quarter
Religious affiliation
Not applicable
President
Deborah Harris - Sims (Campus Director & Dean of Academic Affairs & Ops)
Phone
8037999082
City
Columbia, South Carolina
Address
9 Science Court, Columbia, SC 29203

Degrees & Majors

Graduates in 2025 (first major)

Associate201 international (5.0%)
Bachelor's750 international (0.0%)
Master's290 international (0.0%)
Top 8 Bachelor's majors by graduates
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
41
Business Administration and Management, General
11
Health/Health Care Administration/Management
8
Information Science/Studies
4
Psychology, General
4
Public Health, General
4
Health and Wellness, General
2
Criminal Justice/Police Science
1

U.S. studentsInternational

Popular graduate programs

  • Mental Health Counseling/Counselor · Master's10 (0% international)
  • Health/Health Care Administration/Management · Master's7 (0% international)
  • Business Administration and Management, General · Master's5 (0% international)
  • Organizational Leadership · Master's3 (0% international)
  • Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration · Master's2 (0% international)
  • Public Administration · Master's2 (0% international)

Data insights

Analysis of Graduate Numbers by Discipline

The data from South University-Columbia for the year 2023 reveals intriguing trends regarding graduate numbers across various disciplines. Notably, the Registered Nursing program leads with 37 graduates at the bachelor's level, highlighting the ongoing demand for qualified nurses, particularly in light of recent healthcare challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend aligns with national data indicating a significant shortage of healthcare professionals, emphasizing the importance of nursing education.

In the realm of mental health, the Mental Health Counseling program graduated 24 master's students. This reflects an increasing societal recognition of mental health issues, further propelled by the pandemic's mental health crisis, which has resulted in a heightened need for trained professionals in this field. The absence of bachelor's level graduates in this program suggests a strong focus on advanced education, possibly indicating that students are increasingly pursuing master's degrees directly.

The data also shows that programs such as Health Care Administration and Family Practice Nursing have graduated fewer individuals at the master's level compared to Registered Nursing and Mental Health Counseling. This variation may point to the specific needs of the local job market, as well as differing levels of enrollment interest in these fields.

Interestingly, the Criminal Justice programs show a minimal number of graduates, which could reflect broader societal debates about law enforcement and criminal justice reform. There is a marked absence of international students graduating in various fields, a trend possibly influenced by changing immigration policies and global travel restrictions.

Overall, these numbers underscore the pressing need for targeted educational programs and resources to meet the evolving demands of the labor market, particularly in healthcare and mental health sectors.

All majors, graduates and earnings IPEDS · College Scorecard

*Depends on whether majors have graduates in 2025 or not, Yes / No
**Move mouse on can check deitaled graudates number, click for major detailed information
***Due to privacy policy, graduate salaries are not shown for some majors that has few gradautes

Health professionshas 92 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnderMaster
Health and Wellness, General.-
Health/Health Care Administration/Management.$45,014-$53,376
Medical/Clinical Assistant.$42,087
Physical Therapy Assistant.$42,087
Mental Health Counseling/Counselor.$47,917
Public Health, General.$45,579
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.$79,957-$108,337
Businesshas 19 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnderMaster
Business Administration and Management, General.$47,785-$66,151
Organizational Leadership.$47,785-$66,151
Computer and information sciencehas 4 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnderMaster
Information Science/Studies.$49,812
Psychology has 4 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnderMaster
Psychology, General.$37,532
Homeland security has 3 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnderMaster
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration.$37,864-$41,959
Criminal Justice/Police Science.$37,864-$41,959
Public administrationhas 2 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociateUnderMaster
Public Administration.-

Students

504 students in 2025 · Undergraduate men to women 21:79 · Freshman retention 57.1%

Undergraduate race and ethnicity (450)

Black
301 · 66.9%
White
58 · 12.9%
Unknown
49 · 10.9%
Two or more races
17 · 3.8%
Hispanic
10 · 2.2%
International
5 · 1.1%
Asian
4 · 0.9%

Data insights

Student Demographics at South University-Columbia in 2023

The student body composition at South University-Columbia in 2023 presents an interesting overview of diversity and gender distribution. Among the undergraduate freshmen, there are 19 students, with an overwhelming female representation of 94.7%. This trend continues among undergraduate juniors and transfer students, where females make up 84.7% and 86.2%, respectively. The low percentage of male students in these categories might indicate a growing trend in female enrollment, which aligns with national statistics showing an increasing number of women pursuing higher education.

In contrast, the graduate student population consists of 90 individuals, with males representing 21.1% of the group. This relatively higher male percentage in graduate studies may reflect the traditional fields of study that attract more male students or a shift in gender dynamics as students advance in their academic careers.

Regarding racial composition, while specific values are not fully disclosed, it is noteworthy that there are variations in racial representation among different student categories. The presence of white, Asian, Latinx, Pacific Islander, African American, and international students suggests a diverse environment, which is essential in fostering an inclusive academic atmosphere. With ongoing discussions about diversity in higher education, South University-Columbia appears to be on a promising path, reflecting broader societal changes in student demographics.

As institutions continue to strive for inclusivity, it will be vital to monitor these trends and ensure that all students, regardless of gender or race, have the necessary support and resources to succeed.

Analysis of Student Age Composition at South University-Columbia

The age distribution data of students at South University-Columbia reveals intriguing trends in the demographics of both undergraduate and graduate populations. Notably, the largest age group is comprised of students aged 25-29, with a significant representation of 113 undergraduate females and 14 undergraduate males. This indicates a potential increase in non-traditional students who may be returning to education later in life, possibly influenced by the current job market's demand for higher qualifications.

The data also highlights a stark gender imbalance among undergraduate students, particularly in the younger age brackets. The 18-19 age group shows a complete absence of male undergraduates, while there are 11 female undergraduates. This trend could reflect broader societal shifts where young women are pursuing higher education at a faster rate than their male counterparts, a phenomenon reported in various studies across the U.S.

In contrast, the graduate demographic appears more balanced, with females slightly outnumbering males in most age categories. The age group of 35-39 years old shows a notable representation of both males and females, suggesting that graduate education is appealing to those seeking career advancement or changes later in life.

Overall, the data underscores the evolving landscape of higher education, where age diversity is becoming increasingly common. The presence of older students pursuing degrees reflects changing societal norms and the necessity for continuous learning in a fast-paced world. As universities adapt to these shifts, understanding demographic trends will be crucial for effective program development and support services.

International Students

International share over the last 10 years · gray line: median of all 233 private doctoral universities in the U.S.

Undergraduates1.1%

5 in 2025 · 0.0% in 2016

0% 5% 10% 2016: 0.0%2017: 0.3%2018: 0.2%2019: 0.1%2020: 0.0%2021: 0.0%2022: 0.6%2023: 0.5%2024: 1.1%2025: 1.1%
2016Peer median 3.9%2025
Graduate students1.9%

1 in 2025 · 0.0% in 2016

0% 5% 10% 2016: 0.0%2017: 0.3%2018: 0.3%2019: 0.0%2020: 0.0%2021: 0.0%2022: 0.0%2023: 0.0%2024: 1.6%2025: 1.9%
2016Peer median 6.4%2025

Data insights

Trends in International Student Enrollment at South University-Columbia

The data on international student enrollment at South University-Columbia over the years reveals some noteworthy trends. In 2009, the undergraduate student population consisted of 774 students, with only 2 international students, accounting for a mere 0.26% of the total. This percentage reflects a common trend among many U.S. institutions during that period, as they were still building their global outreach.

By 2010, there was a slight increase in both the total number of undergraduates and the number of international students, although the percentage of international students did not have complete data for that year. However, moving to 2017 and 2018, we see fluctuations with an uptick in the international student ratio, peaking at 0.34% in 2017. This could be attributed to the university's enhanced recruitment efforts and the overall rise in international student enrollments across the U.S.

The data for 2022 shows a significant spike in the proportion of international undergraduates, reaching 0.62%, which is an encouraging sign amid a global pandemic that affected student mobility. However, in 2023, the international student percentage slightly declined to 0.48% with fewer total undergraduates.

The graduate student numbers present a less clear picture, with data gaps but showing a consistent presence of international students, indicating that graduate programs may be more appealing to international applicants.

Overall, while South University-Columbia's international student numbers have experienced ups and downs, the recent years suggest a growing trend that aligns with broader shifts in global education. Institutions must continue to foster welcoming environments for international students to sustain this momentum.

Cost

2025 cost per year

$27,334

Undergraduate tuition
$17,895
Room and board
$9,439
Graduate tuition
$16,611
Tuition and room and board over time

Peer median tuition + room and board $56,962 · all 233 private doctoral universities in the U.S.

Tuition rose 7% from 2016 to 2025; room and board rose 50%.

Finances · fiscal year 2024

Revenue$10.0M

Tuition and fees
$7.5M75.6%
Government grants and contracts
$2.2M21.8%
Auxiliary enterprises
$228K2.3%

Expenses$11.1M

Institutional support
$4.7M42.4%
Instruction
$3.9M35.1%
Student services
$1.7M15.5%
Academic support
$269K2.4%
Other
$501K4.5%

Average faculty salary · 2025 (9-month equivalent)

Dark gray ticks: median pay for the same rank at all 233 private doctoral universities in the U.S.

All faculty
$63,676peers $83,735
Professor
$56,170peers $107,092
Assistant professor
$67,087peers $77,142
Instructor
$60,493peers $63,333

Campus Life

Athletics and varsity athletes NCAA · EADA

No athlete data available for 2025.

No athlete data available for 2024.

No athlete data available for 2023.

Nearby & Safety

Ranked colleges nearby

Data insights

Here are some notable schools surrounding South University-Columbia:

  1. University of South Carolina-Columbia - Ranked 124 in the 2024 US News rankings, this comprehensive university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, attracting a diverse student body.

  2. Wofford College - A liberal arts college ranked 59, Wofford is known for its strong emphasis on undergraduate education and a vibrant campus life.

  3. Davidson College - With a remarkable rank of 16, Davidson is a prestigious liberal arts college that focuses on academic excellence and offers a close-knit community for its students.

  4. Clemson University - Ranked 86, Clemson is a comprehensive university recognized for its engineering and business programs, alongside a spirited campus culture.

  5. Duke University - A top-tier university ranked 7, Duke is renowned for its research capabilities and strong academic programs across various fields, offering a rich educational experience.

These institutions provide a range of options for students in the Columbia area, each with unique strengths and offerings.

Campus safety · incidents per 1,000 students

Peer median 5.3 · all 233 private doctoral universities in the U.S.

Data insights

Analysis of Crime Data at South University-Columbia

The crime data from South University-Columbia reveals an intriguing trend over the years. In 2013, the university recorded a crime rate of 1.39 incidents per 1,000 students, which increased to 2.58 in 2014. Interestingly, there was a significant drop to zero incidents from 2015 to 2023. This dramatic decrease in reported crimes raises questions about the safety measures implemented on campus and the overall environment for students.

The types of offenses recorded in the years leading up to 2015 included gun-related arrests, which may contribute to heightened concerns about campus safety. However, the absence of any reported incidents in subsequent years could suggest successful intervention strategies, increased security, or perhaps a change in reporting practices.

While the data shows a downward trend in crime, it is important to contextualize these numbers within broader societal trends. Many universities across the United States have been grappling with issues related to campus safety, particularly in light of recent national conversations surrounding gun violence and sexual assaults. The lack of reported incidents at South University-Columbia might reflect a positive shift in campus culture or effective measures taken to foster a safer environment.

Nonetheless, ongoing vigilance is essential. Continuous engagement with students about safety, along with transparent reporting practices, will reinforce the community's trust and ensure that any incidents are promptly addressed. For further understanding of crime rates and their calculations, you can refer to this resource: Crime Rate Calculation.

References and Data Sources

Data from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education), U.S. News, THE, QS, ARWU and Clery Act campus safety reports. Data insights are written by the Forward Pathway data team from public data.